When Mason Bates’ Cello Concerto had its world premiere in 2014 with the Seattle Symphony, it was hailed as a crowd-pleaser, with a strong rhythmic undercurrent and plenty of opportunity for soloistic display.

The soloist on that occasion, Joshua Roman, had spent time as the orchestra’s extremely young principal cellist before setting out to launch a well-merited solo career, and he’s championed Bates’ concerto in performances across the country.

Now the concerto has arrived in the Bay Area — Bates’ own home turf — as Roman joins the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra to give it a local premiere. Conductor Christian Reif will substitute for Music Director Joana Carneiro in a program that also features Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony.